Jointed tool.



W. R. GARDNER.

JOINTED TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11,1909.

Patented July 19, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. GARDNER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO FRANK HERB, ONE-HALF TO I). G. LYTLE, AND ONE-FOURTH TO G. H. SMITH, OE

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

JOINTEID TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. June 17, 1909.

Patented July 19, 1910. Serial No. 502,815.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. GARDNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Jointed Tool, of which the following is a specification.

The main object of this invention is to provide a jointed tool which can be carried in small compass.

Many workmen carry a satchel with their tools and it is a convenience to so construct long tools that they may also be carried in the satchel along with the other tools.

In the present form I have shown the tool constructed in the form of a plasterers darby.

Another object of the invention is to provide a darby made in two pieces, so that it can be readily carried in small compass as stated and at the same time shall present when fastened together a smooth, continuous working surface not liable to scratch or mar the finish of the plaster.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separable darby of the stated construction which will be substantially as light as the ordinary darby.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention, and referring thereto :Figure 1 is a plan of the darby. Fig. 2 is a partial plan showing the two parts in separated relation. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line w*w* in Fig. 1.

The darby comprises two members 1, each formed as a flat strip or plate of wood or other suitable material and each provided with a handle 2 projecting vertically from the plane of the member. These two members are formed at their inner ends with corresponding projections 3 and indentations 4 forming a sinuous terminal for each member, these projections and indentations interlocking when the membersare placed together as shown in Fig. 8, so as to provide a sinuous joint. The two members are secured together by fittings or castings 6, 6 which are, or may be, of similar or corresponding construction and are likewise formed with corresponding projections or tongues 7 and indentations or recesses 8, so as to fit together forming a sinuous joint.

The said fittings or castings 6 are fastened to the respective members 1 as by means of rivets 9, which are preferably of lead or other relatively soft material, so that as the wood wears away the lead rivets will wear away in substantial correspondence with the wood and a flat smooth surface will always be presented.

To hold the members 1 against relative vertical displacement one of the fittings, 6, is preferably provided with a groove 11 extending around its edge, said groove being formed in a'raised flange 12 which extends around the edge of the sinuous end of the fitting and conforms thereto, the other of said fittings, 6, being provided with a flange 13 extending around its sinuous edge and having a tongue 14 projecting therefrom to engage the aforesaid groove in the other fitting, so that when the parts are interlocked, as shown inFigs. 1 and 4, the tongue and groove will engage to hold the parts in rigid relation in a vertical direction. The tongues or projections 7 preferably taper slightly outwardly and the recesses 8 taper correspondingly in an inward direction, so that when the parts are interlocked as stated the taper projections and recesses will bind or wedge on one another to give a tight joint. The parts are held or keyed in such relation by means of a transverse taper key or pin 15 inserted through perforations 16 in the members 6, 6, said perforations extending through the flanges 12, 13 of said members. On removing said key the parts may be detached as shown in Fig: 2 and then may be packed conveniently in a small compass, for example, in the workmans satchel, and when it is desired to use the tool the parts may be assembled by simply shoving them together endwise into tight connection and then driving the key 15 into place. The darby can then be used the same as an ordinary darby and the sinuous joint between the members eliminates any possibility of marring or scratching the surface of the plaster as it gives a rigid, uniform, smooth surface for the members at the joint. The sinuous joint extends through to the working surface of the tool, the wood of the members 1 being out in a sinuous line to follow the contour of the metal fitting. Thus when the members are joined together for work, the crack in the working surface is a sinuous crack which is of especial importance in a darby as if the crack extended straight across it would leave a ridge, or otherwise score or mark the plaster, which is avoided by the sinuous crack.

The construction of the fittings 6, 6 with the interlocking portions formed on flanges 12, 13 thereof gives a minimum weight to the darby. By making these fittings of aluminum the darby may be made substantially as light as the ordinary darby.

The darby made in two pieces, fastened together as stated, is less liable to warp than the ordinary darby made of a single long piece of wood.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. A ointed tool comprising two members each provided with a handle, said members being fastened together by a detachable joint, said members comprising projections and recesses at their inner ends fitting one another to form a sinuous joint, and a fitting at the inner end of each member formed with corresponding projections and recesses, the two fittings being provided with tongue and groove means to prevent vertical displacement.

2. A jointed tool comprising two members each provided with a handle, said members being fastened together by a detachable joint, said members comprising projections and recesses at their inner ends fitting one another to form a sinuous joint, and a fitting at the inner end of each member formed with corresponding projections and recesses, the two fittings being provided wlth tongue and groove means to prevent vertical displacement, and said projections and recesses being tapered to bind on one another.

3. A ointed tool comprising two members each provided with a handle, said members being fastened together by a detachable joint, said members comprising projections and recesses at their inner ends fitting one another to form a sinuous joint, and a fitting at the inner end of each member formed with corresponding projections and recesses, the two fittings being provided with tongue and groove means to prevent vertical displacement, said projections and recesses being tapered to bind on one another, and a key extending transversely through said projections of the respective fittings to secure the same together.

4. A darby comprising two elongated members fitting together with a transverse sinuous joint at the working surface, and means detachably holding said members together.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at- Los Angeles, California, this 8th day of June, 1909.

VILLIAM R. GARDNER.

In presence of- G. T. HACKLEY, FRANK L. A. GRAHAM. 

